How to file for divorce in Pennsylvania — without a lawyer
Pennsylvania lets you handle your own divorce, and for uncontested cases it's very doable: file in the Court of Common Pleas, use the state's no-fault ground — mutual consent (90 days) or 1-year separation — follow the steps below, and use the official Pennsylvania forms. This page gives you the real requirements, with links to the official sources to verify each one.
Pennsylvania divorce: the key facts
Residency note: 6 months residency; no-fault divorce requires 1 year of separation.
Verify with the official source: Pennsylvania court self-help ↗Find your court ↗
The 6 steps, start to finish
- 1
Confirm you can file in Pennsylvania
At least one spouse generally must have lived in Pennsylvania for 180 days (about 6 months) before filing. If you qualify, you'll file in the Court of Common Pleas — usually in the county where you or your spouse lives.
- 2
Get the official forms
Pennsylvania's own forms are free. You'll typically need the petition (Complaint in Divorce (no-fault under 3301(c) or 3301(d))), a financial disclosure (Income & Expense Statement (for support)), and with children, the support worksheet (Pennsylvania support guidelines). CaseForward's guided interview fills in the decisions those forms ask you to make.
- 3
Complete your paperwork carefully
Incomplete or inconsistent paperwork is the #1 reason self-filed divorces get bounced. Work through each form slowly; if you and your spouse agree on everything, prepare a settlement agreement and a custody agreement (county forms) to attach.
- 4
File with the court
The filing fee varies by county — call your clerk of court to confirm the exact amount. If you can't afford it, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. Many Pennsylvania courts accept electronic filing through PACFile.
- 5
Serve your spouse
Your spouse must formally receive the papers — usually by sheriff, private process server, or (in agreed cases) a signed waiver/acceptance of service. Keep the proof of service; the court needs it.
- 6
Wait, then finalize
Pennsylvania has no single statewide waiting period — how fast the decree comes back mostly depends on the court's calendar and whether your case is uncontested. In an uncontested case the judge reviews your paperwork (sometimes with a short hearing) and signs the final decree.
Do the paperwork with a guide, not from scratch
CaseForward walks you through every decision, generates your court-ready Pennsylvania documents, and shows you full previews free. One price — $99 for the complete DIY packet, or $29 for a single document. No subscription.
Child support in Pennsylvania: Income Shares
Combines both parents' incomes and divides the estimated cost of raising the child in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income. Used by the majority of states (41).
Pennsylvania divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Pennsylvania?
No. Every state, including Pennsylvania, lets you represent yourself in a divorce (called appearing "pro se"). Self-representation works best for uncontested cases where you and your spouse agree on the terms. If your case involves abuse, hidden assets, or a real dispute over the children, talk to a licensed Pennsylvania attorney — many offer free consultations, and you may qualify for legal aid.
How long do I have to live in Pennsylvania before I can file for divorce?
At least one spouse generally must have lived in Pennsylvania for 180 days (about 6 months) before filing. Always verify the current rule with the court's own self-help resources before filing.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has no single statewide waiting period — how fast the decree comes back mostly depends on the court's calendar and whether your case is uncontested. Uncontested cases with complete, correctly-filled paperwork are consistently the fastest.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Pennsylvania?
The filing fee varies by county — call your clerk of court to confirm the exact amount. If you can't afford it, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. Beyond the court fee, doing the paperwork yourself is the biggest saver: preparing your own documents (free preview, $99 for the complete court-ready packet on CaseForward) instead of paying a few thousand dollars in attorney fees.
What are the grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania accepts a no-fault ground — mutual consent (90 days) or 1-year separation. Fault-based grounds also exist, but most self-represented filers use the no-fault ground because it's simpler and doesn't require proving misconduct. Note: a separation period of about 365 days applies in some circumstances.
How is child support calculated in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares model. Combines both parents' incomes and divides the estimated cost of raising the child in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income. Used by the majority of states (41). You can run your numbers with CaseForward's free Pennsylvania child-support estimator, then confirm with the state's official worksheet.
Helpful Pennsylvania links & guides
Court self-help center ↗E-filing (PACFile) ↗Find your court ↗
Free: The Uncontested Divorce Filing Checklist
The whole path on two printable pages — what to gather, decide, prepare, and file. We'll email it to you, plus a short series of practical tips (unsubscribe anytime).
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